A couple from Monagri died in their car on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, trying to outrun a wildfire in Cyprus’s Limassol district. The Greek Cypriot pair were caught when flames engulfed the vehicle, Philenews reported.
The fire broke out around midday, LBC reported, as high temperatures and strong winds pushed it through populated areas near the city. Cyprus was forecast to reach 44C on Thursday after hitting 43C the day before. Philenews, citing the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, said more than 120 square kilometres had burned. The fire destroyed 72 homes and 91 vehicles, and smoke drifted as far as Lebanon’s coast. LBC said the flames threatened a dozen villages and that hundreds of people were evacuated.
Police look at arson
Police are examining whether the fire was set on purpose. Investigators are looking at witness testimony that points to possible arson. According to LBC, eyewitnesses said fires were lit at two separate points near a garbage dump, and it attributed that to fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos. No suspects or arrests have been reported.
The injured
Two people with extensive burns are in Nicosia General Hospital in serious but stable condition, health service spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou said. They are not intubated but have large burn surfaces. Health Minister Michalis Damianos said one case is more serious than the other and that both are “out of danger.”
Sixteen people were treated at the Accident and Emergency Department of Limassol Hospital for breathing problems, burns and other injuries. Five were admitted to wards. Two more were admitted at Troodos Hospital with respiratory problems. A first aid station in Erimi examined roughly 40 people. Earlier, 38 had been treated at centers in Kivides before the operation moved to Erimi, and 12 needed first aid in Malia, mainly for breathing trouble.
“Services are on alert to treat anyone requiring care,” Damianos said after visiting the hospital. “Cases appearing in recent hours are mainly respiratory, receiving first aid but not serious cases requiring admission.”
Firefighting and damage checks
A fire service spokesperson said 14 aircraft were still dropping water. By Thursday morning no fires were actively advancing, though crews stayed in place to put out flare-ups. Strong winds were expected late Thursday, raising the chance that sparks could restart blazes in the dry brush.
Damage assessment had not started. Electra Panayiotou, the deputy Limassol District Officer, said from the coordination center in Ypsonas that active fire sources kept her teams away. “It was not possible to send our crews to begin recording damage,” she said.
The British Foreign Office updated its advice for Cyprus, noting a high risk of wildfires from April to October and urging people to call 112 in immediate danger.
Sources
- Limassol fire status: Two dead, two seriously injured as flames burn 120 km2 and 72 homes
- Two people 'burned alive in vehicle' as Cyprus wildfires rip through areas close to popular tourist town | LBC
